Swaging machine for end portion assembling of elongated workpieces

ABSTRACT

An elongated tubular workpiece is positioned lengthwise vertically with the upper end portion engaged with a force absorbing support and the lower end portion engaged by a reforming device, while the workpiece remains effectively unsupported between the end portions. The reforming device includes a vertically movable punch impacted by a fluid propelled impact member driving the punch with a predetermined impact force penetrating upwardly into and reforming the workpiece lower end, for instance, at least partially transversely outwardly into engagement with a telescoping outer workpiece part. At the time of the impact force against the workpiece lower end, a freely vertically movable weight of the force absorbing support is resting downwardly against the workpiece upper end portion and reacts to that portion of the impact force transmitted upwardly through the workpiece, the weight moving upwardly away from the workpiece upper end portion absorbing a sufficient part of the impact force preventing transverse deformation of the workpiece transversely unsupported portion. As the weight moves upwardly, it is snubbed by an electromagnet retained above the workpiece upper end portion and the punch is forceably withdrawn from the workpiece lower end portion by downward movement thereof, both ready for positioning for a next workpiece reforming operation.

United States Patent [1 1 Schoepe et al.

l l SWAGING MACHINE FOR END PORTION ASSEMBLING OF ELONGATED WORKPIECES[76} Inventors: Adolf Schoepe, 1620 N. Raymond Ave., Fullerton. Calif;Fredric E.

Schmuck, 535 Century Dr., Anaheim, Calif. 92805 22 Filed: May 3, 1974 2:Appl. No.: 466,623

Primary Examiner- Lowell A. Larson Attorney. Agent, or Firm-Mahoncy,Schick & Cislo [57] ABSTRACT An elongated tubular workpiece ispositioned length- [451 Apr. 8, 1975 wise vertically with the upper endportion engaged with a force absorbing support and the lower end portionengaged by a reforming device, while the workpiece remains effectivelyunsupported between the end portions. The reforming device includes avertically movable punch impacted by a fluid propelled impact memberdriving the punch with a predetermined impact force penetrating upwardlyinto and reforming the workpiece lower end, for instance, at leastpartially transversely outwardly into engagement with a telescopingouter workpiece part. At the time of the impact force against theworkpiece lower end, a freely vertically movable weight of the forceabsorbing support is resting downwardly against the workpiece upper endportion and reacts to that portion of the impact force transmittedupwardly through the workpiece, the weight moving upwardly away from theworkpiece upper end portion absorbing a sufficient part of the impactforce preventing transverse deformation of the workpiece transverselyunsupported portion. As the weight moves upwardly, it is snubbed by anelectromagnet retained above the workpiece upper end portion and thepunch is forceably withdrawn from the workpiece lower end portion bydownward movement thereof, both ready for positioning for a nextworkpiece reforming operation.

EATENTEUAFR 8 ENE Fig. l.

8M1 1 Uf 8 Fig. 2.

PATENTEDAPR BIQYS SLLU 3 BF 8 Fig. 4.

PATENTEUAPR 3.875.658

Fig. 5.

PATEN IEU 81975 LIL 8 U? L SWAGlNG MACHINE FOR END PORTION ASSEMBLING OFELONGATED WORKPIECES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relatesto a machine for the reforming of an end portion of an elongatedworkpiece which operation requires an extensive force at a firstworkpiece end portion at least part of which is transmitted lengthwisethrough the workpiece while the workpiece remains effectivelyunsupported between the end portions so that the reforming force canonly have the required resistance to accomplish the reforming applied atthe second workpiece end portion. According to the present invention.through the application of the reforming force as an impact force andworkpiece end portion resisting the same by a unique yieldableresistance, the reforming may be carried out with a required magnitudeof reforming force that normally would distort the workpiece unsupportedportion between the workpiece end portions, yet without such distortionThe overall result is that the required reforming operation isefficiently accomplished without prohibitive workpiece damage.

There are many occasions in the assembly of workpieces into finalproduct form where it is desirable to reform a workpiece in a relativelysevere manner, yet due to the workpiece configuration and its particularlocation in the assembly, workpiece support during the reformingoperation is difficult. in such instances, it has heretofore beennecessary to either modify the workpiece reforming into a less secureand, in most cases, far less desirable final assembly or redesign andmodify the particular workpiece or workpieces into a more complex andexpensive final form. Frequent incidences of this type are encounteredwhere elongated workpieces must be used in the assembly and whichrequire reforming of an end portion thereof to secure the same into theassembly, yet the reforming operation cannot be carried out until theelongated workpiece has been telescoped by outer, more fragile andvirtually unsupporting parts of the final assembly. This means thatduring the elongated workpiece end portion reforming, those parts of thereforming force transmitted through the elongated workpiece can only beresisted by some support at the opposite end of the workpiece, theintermediate portions being cffectively unsupported. thereby subjectingthe workpiece to the dangers of intermediate distortion if a severereforming force is applied,

A prime example of these exact problems being encountered is presentedin the assembly of ballcocks usable for the water level control in flushtanks. In such ballcock assemblies. assuming that the ballcock is of thefrequently plumbing code required anti-syphon form, a typical assemblywould include an enlarged water inlet connector secured in communicationwith a relatively long, small diameter water inlet tube which is securedat an opposite end in communication with an enlarged valve assembly.Extending between the enlarged water inlet connector and the enlargedvalve assembly is a water outlet tube which telescopes the water inlettube between the enlarged water inlet connector and valve assembly so tocompletely shield the water inlet tube from access after assembly. Theen larged water connector, the water inlet tube and the various parts ofthe valve assembly to which the water inlet tube is connected are, ofcourse, usually formed of appropriate metals, the water inlet tubeusually being of copper for anti-corrosion, and the telescoping wateroutlet tube is formed of plastic for both economy and, more important,its sound deadening qualities to aid in muffling the sounds of waterflow and exiting. Furthermore, this plastic water outlet tube willfrequently be telescoped by the ball cock float which moves verticallyalong the length thereof and is guided by the water outlet tube in suchmovement.

In the ballcock assembly procedure, the enlarged water inlet connectoris secured to the one end of the water inlet tube by telescoping andsoldering, this being possible due to the free outward access to theparts at this stage of assembly. Next, however, in view of the fact thatthe valve assembly is also enlarged, before securing the valve assemblyto the opposite end of the water inlet tube, it is first necessary totelescopically as semble the plastic water outlet tube over the waterinlet tube and the ballcock float over the plastic water outlet tube.Thus, when the parts of the valve assembly necessary of connection tothe opposite end of the water inlet tube are brought into positiontelescoping the opposite end portion of the water inlet tube inwardly ofthe water outlet tube, and outwardly covering or telescoping an end ofthe water outlet tube, the location of the necessary sealed securementbetween the water inlet tube and the valve assembly parts is totallyshielded by the plastic water outlet tube except internally of the valveassembly parts and lengthwise of the water inlet tube.

The ideal form of connection between the water inlet tube and the valveassembly parts, the end portion of the water inlet tube being telescopedby the valve assembly parts, is the reforming of the water inlet tubeend portion. Such reforming, however, requires forces of relativelylarge magnitude which must be applied lengthwise of the water inlet tubeend portion. Such reforming forces, due to the described assembly, canonly be resisted sufficient to carry out the reforming operation at theopposite end portion of the water inlet tube or, with the enlarged waterinlet connector secured thereto, at this water inlet connector. Thispresents the problem ofjust how to apply the necessary magnitude ofreforming force against the valve assembly end portion of the waterinlet tube and resisting this reforming force at or through the oppositeend of the water inlet tube sufficient to carry out the desiredreforming operations while this relatively long and relatively thinwater inlet tube remains effectively unsupported between the endportions thereof, all without distortion of the water inlet tube whichcould destroy the entire assembly.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of thisinvention to provide a machine for reforming of an end portion of anelongated workpiece without prohibitive lengthwise distortion and damageto the workpiece despite the fact that the workpiece must remaineffectively unsupported over the length thereof between end portions andthe reforming forces must be of normally distorting and damagingmagnitude. According to the principles of the present invention, theworkpiece to be reformed is positioned with the reforming force applyingmeans directed lengthwise of the workpiece end portion to be reformedand the reforming force is applied as a sharp impact reforming force. Atthe same time, the other end portion of the workpiece required to resistthe impact reforming force in" order for the same to be effective in thereforming operation is positioned at a force absorbing support having aunique yieldable resistance which supplies the necessary resistance forcarrying out the reforming operation while yieldably absorbing asufficient part of the workpiece transmitted impact reforming force toprevent transverse deformation of the workpiece unsupported portionsbetween the workpiece end portions. Thus, with the unique combination ofthe impact reforming force and the yieldable resistance force,relatively severe reforming of the workpiece end portion can beaccomplished without prohibitive distortion of such workpiece.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a machine forreforming of an end portion of an elongated workpiece of the foregoinggeneral type wherein, in the preferred form, the desired impact force isefficiently applied in a manner providing the required impact magnitudeto carry out the determined reforming, yet while still maintaining thedesired reforming in an exact and accurate predetermined manner. In apreferred embodiment of the machine of the present invention, acaptively movable punch is aligned at the workpiece end portion forperforming the reforming operation and a fluid propelled impact memberstrikes the punch with the impact force causing the punch to strike theworkpiece end portion with the impact reforming force. In this manner,the control of the punch movement permits the maintaining of exactalignment and exact movement relative to the workpiece end portion,while the controlled fluid propelling of the impact member against thepunch maintains the exact, predetermined impact force for the consequentreforming operation.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a machine forreforming of an end portion of an elongated workpiece of the foregoinggeneral type wherein, again in the preferred form, if the ultimatepredetermined reforming operation is of the type requiring that thepunch must penetrate into the workpiece end portion to accomplish thereforming with final punch interference resisting punch removal, thepunch, through unique mounting thereof, may be forceably removed atcompletion of the reforming stroke ready for subsequent reformingoperations. A preferred embodiment of the machine may include astationary workpiece positioning device upon which the workpiece endportion to be reformed is positioned prior to the reforming operation.The punch and impact member assembly are arranged on movable mountingmeans so that the punch and impact member assembly may be moved betweenan operable position with the punch at and exactly properly aligned withthe workpiece end portion ready for the impact reforming stroke and aninoperable position spaced away from such operable position. Thus, withthe punch and impact member assembly in operable position. the impactforce can be applied to the punch by the impact member driving the punchinto penetration and interference with the workpiece end portioncarrying out the exact predetermined reforming operation and immediatelyfollowing, the punch and impact member assembly can be forceably movedfrom this operable position to its inoperable position so as toforceably withdraw the punch from the workpiece end portion freeing theworkpiece and readying the punch for its next reforming operation uponreturn to the assembly operable position.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a machine forreforming an end portion of an elongated workpiece satisfying one ormore of the foregoing objects wherein the unique yieldable resistancemeans required for yieldably resisting and partially absorbing that partof the impact reforming force transmitted lengthwise through theworkpiece in carrying out the required reforming while preventingworkpiece distortion may be of a relatively simple, although accuratelyprecalculated, structure. With the preferred embodiment of the machineof the present invention, the workpiece is positioned extendinglengthwise vertically, the lower workpiece end portion being that endportion originally receiving the impact force and being reformed and theupper workpiece end portion being that requiring the yieldableresistance means for aiding in accomplishing the lower end portionreforming. To provide the necessary yieldable resistance, aprecalculated, vertically movable weight is positioned resting on theworkpiece upper end portion and upon the part of the impact force beingtransmitted lengthwise through the workpiece during the reformingoperation, the weight reacts to this impact force part by movingupwardly away from the upper workpiece end portion to thereby carry outthe resistance and force absorbing functions. Furthermore, as the weightmoves upwardly reacting from the impact force, it is preferably snubbedspaced upwardly from the upper workpiece end portion by electromagnetmeans and retained in this position until removal of the completedworkpiece from the machine and the positioning of a new workpiece to bereformed, at which time, it is released for return to yieldableresistance position.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a machine forreforming of an end portion of an elongated workpiece which mayincorporate all of the foregoing advantageous structure in anefficiently operating, mass production machine capable of carrying outrepeated predetermined workpiece reforming operations on a relativelyhigh speed production basis. All of the described uniquely functionalelements are integrated through appropriate controls for sequentiallycarrying through the procedural steps of accepting the workpieceinsertion, positioning the impact reforming and yieldable resistanceelements ready for the impact reforming operation, efficiently carryingthrough the impact reforming operation and releasing the reformedworkpiece for removal and replacement by a subsequent workpiece to bereformed. At the insertion of the workpiece to be reformed, theyieldable resistance weight is snubbed upwardly and the impact punchassembly is spaced downwardly in inoperable position so that upon fullworkpiece insertion, an appropriate switch is contacted to release theyieldable resistance weight downwardly against the workpiece upper endportion and to begin upward movement of the impact punch assembly towardoperable position. As the impact punch assembly reaches the operableposition, the impact reforming stroke of the impact punch assembly iscarried out, the weight is snubbed and the punch is forceably withdrawnby downward movement of the impact punch assembly, all on a propersequential and timed basis through appropriate switches and timingcontrols, thereby placing the machine in form for commencement of asubsequent sequential cycle.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing specification and the accompanying drawings which are for thepurpose of illustration only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. I is a front elevational view of a swaging machine for end portionassembling of ballcock subassemblies incorporating a preferredembodiment of the unique principles of the present invention, themachine having a ballcock sub-assembly inserted therein with variousmachine elements being positioned ready for movement to operableposition and the ultimate carrying out of a reforming operation;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine as positioned in FIG.I;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional view, part inelevation, looking in the direction of the arrows 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but with the machine elements inposition ready for the reforming operation',

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, horizontal sectional view looking in thedirection of the arrows 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional view looking inthe direction of the arrows 6-6 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but with the machine elements in aposition ready for the reforming operation;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken fromthe upper portion of FIG. 7 and showing the machine elements in positionimmediately following the actual reforming stroke;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view looking in thedirection of the arrows 99 in FIG. 8;

FIG. I0 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of a ballcocksub-assembly ready for the carrying out of the reforming operation bythe machine of FIGS. I through 9; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional view looking inthe direction of the arrows "-11 in FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST EMBODIMENTS CONTEMPLATED:

Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of a swaging machine for endportion assmbling of ballcock subassemblies is illustrated in FIGS. 1through 9 thereof and incorporates the principles of the presentinvention. A typical ballcock sub-assembly ready to have an end portionreformed by swaging with the swaging machine of FIGS. 1 through 9 isillustrated in FIGS. and II. The various components or elements of themachine and ballcock sub-assembly are formed of usual materials andfabricated by usual manufacturing processes appropriate for theirintended uses, all well known to those skilled in the art, and will onlybe discussed below as they relate to the principles and problems of thepresent invention.

Initially referring to FIGS. l0 and 11, the ballcock sub-assembly tohave an end portion thereof reformed or swaged to complete suchsub-assembly by the embodiment of machine illustrated is generallyindicated at and is shown up-ended in the position for insertion in themachine for such reforming or swaging operation. The sub-assembly 20includes an enlarged water inlet connector 22, a water inlet tube 24, apartial valve assembly generally indicated at 26 comprised of a valvecasing 28, a valve seat 30 and an anti-syphon seal 32, and a wateroutlet or hush" tube 34. All of these components of the ballcocksub-assembly 20 are formed of anti-corrosive materials such as brass,copper and resilient or rigid plastics depending on the particularcomponent but of importance to the problems of the present invention andas will be hereinafter discussed more in detail. the water inlet tube 24is formed of copper and the water outlet tube 34 is formed of a rigidplastic, the latter water outlet tube being termed a hush tube for itsqualities of muffling the water outlet flow sounds.

In the ballcock sub-assembly 20, the water inlet connector 22 istelescoped with and soldered to one end portion of the water inlet tube24 so that the water inlet connector and this water inlet tube endportion, with the ballcock sub-assembly in its up-ended position,comprise the upper end portion of the ballcock subassembly. The oppositeend of the water inlet tube 24 is telescoped by a short tubular portionof the valve seat 30 so that the water inlet tube opposite end portionand the partial valve assembly 26 comprise the lower end portion of theballcock sub-assembly 20, although as shown in FIG. II, this lower endportion is merely assembled in place ready for the reforming or swagingoperation by the machine of the present invention between the waterinlet tube and the valve seat tubular portion. The ballcock sub-assembly20 is completed by the rigid plastic water outlet tube 34 which upwardlypartially telescopes a portion of the water inlet connector 22 withslotted spacing therebetween (not shown) for outward water flow and isdownwardly partially telescoped by the valve casing 28 of the partialvalve assembly 26 spaced outwardly of the valve seat tubular portion 36,all as clearly shown.

More important to the reforming or swaging problems of the presentinvention, it is seen that the reforming or swaging operation to partaxially and part transversely reform the lower end portion of the waterinlet tube 24 into securement with the valve seat tubular portion 36,the final secured form being shown in FIG. 8, can only be accomplishedby forces lengthwise against the water inlet tube 24 in view of theconfiguration of the partial valve assembly 26. Furthermore, it can beseen that these reforming or swaging forces can only be resisted axiallyat the water inlet connector 22 and will be transmitted lengthwise ofthe water inlet tube 24 which must remain transversely unsupported themajor portion of its length or between the valve seat 30 and the waterinlet connector 22, the water outlet tube 34 being incapable of any suchtransverse support due to its outward spacing and the fact that it isformed of plastic. To more clearly illustrate the problems, in theballcock sub-assembly 20, the copper water inlet tube 24 is transverselyunsupported over between approximately seven inches and ten inches,depending on the particular model of the ballcock, while the water inlettube is less than 5 1 inch outside diameter and greater than Va inchinside diameter. The final swaged securement between the water inlettube 24 and the valve seat tubular portion 36, the reforming from theform shown in FIG. I] to the form shown in FIG. 8, must be mechanicallyand watertight capable of withstanding one thousand pounds per squareinch water pressure.

Referring to the overall construction of the swaging machine as shown inFIGS. I and 2, such machine includes a main frame 38 mounting an upperforce absorbing support generally indicated at 40 and a lower reformingdevice generally indicated at 42, the force absorbing support and thereforming device being appropriately controlled through an upper controlpanel generally indicated at 44. The main frame 38 is adapted forpositioning on a horizontal surface (not shown) and is supplied with theusual air supply and electrical supply connections all well known tothose skilled in the art. The air supply and electrical supplyconnections and controls on the main frame 38 are also of usual form andwill be hereinafter mentioned only as they become important to theparticular components of the swaging machine.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, the force absorbing support 40 includes acarriage 46 selectively vertically slidably mounted on the main frame 38for selected vertical adjustment as determined by the particularballcock sub-assembly to have the reforming or swaging operationperformed thereon. The carriage 46 is retained in a selected position byadjustment pins 48 and is vertically suspended on the main frame duringadjustment movements by a pair of tension springs 50. The carriage 46,in turn, mounts a workpiece positioner 52, a yieldable resistant weight54, an electromagnet 56 and an adjustable stop 58.

The workpiece positioner 52 is secured extending downwardly from thecarriage 46 and has a forwardly opening. vertical positioning slot 60for transversely re ceiving the upper end portion of the up-ended orinverted ballcock sub-assembly 20 exactly positioning the same duringthe reforming or swaging operation. As can be seen in the drawings, thepositioning slot 60 of the workpiece positioner S2 specifically receivesthe upper portion of the water inlet connector 22 of the ballcocksub-assembly 20 while maintaining the upper extremity of the water inletconnector upwardly exposed. Furthermore, as best seen in FIG. 5, atransversely pivotal start switch lever interferes with the rearwardportion of the positioning slot 60 being resiliently urged forwardly anddepressed rearwardly by the water inlet connector 22 of the ballcocksub-assembly 20. When depressed, the start switch lever 62 actuates astart switch 64 as shown for a purpose to be hereinafter explained.

The yieldable resistance weight 54 is vertically movably mounted withinthe carriage 46 having a lower end portion 66 vertically aligned withand projecting at all times partially vertically downwardly into theworkpiece positioner 52. An upper end portion 68 of the yieldableresistance weight 54 projects upwardly into the location of theelectromagnet 56. The yieldable resistance weight 54 consists ofpre-determined dead weight being normally urged downwardly by gravity.

The electromagnet 56 is vertically suspended resiliently urged upwardlyby a compression spring 70, the upward movement through the springurging thereof being determined by abutment with the adjustable stop 58and the lower position thereof by compression of the spring beingdetermined by a holder 72 secured to the carriage 46. As shown in FIG,3, when the electromagnet 56 is electrically energized and ismagnetically gripping and suspending the weight 54, the electromagnet isin its lowermost position engaged by the holder 72, and when theelectromagnet is de-energized. the

spring urges the same upwardly, as shown in FIG. 4, to engage the stop58. This vertical movement of the elcctromagnet 56 and the purposethereof will be explained hereafter in greater detail.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 6 through 9, the reforming device 42includes a workpiece positioning device or workpiece holder 74, a mainpositioning cylinder 76 and impact reforming means in the form of animpact cylinder 78 housing a punch 80 and an impact member 82.Generally, the workpiece holder 74 is secured to the main frame 38 andserves the function of positioning the lower end portion of the up-endedballcock subassembly 20 during the reforming or swaging operation. Themain positioning cylinder 76, likewise secured to the main frame 38,vertically movably mounts the impact cylinder 78 carrying the punch 80and impact member 82 vertically movable between a lower inoperativeposition and an upper operative position.

More specifically as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the workpiece holder 74includes an upwardly opening positioning recess 84 and an upwardlyprojecting pilot portion 86 centrally of the positioning recess. Avertical punch opening 88 is formed through the pilot portion 86downwardly to a lubrication cavity 90 and from such cavity downwardlythrough a lower surface 92 of the workpiece holder 74. As shown in FIGS.6 and 7, a vertically pivotal impact switch lever 94 is mounted on theworkpiece holder 74 adjacent the lower surface 92 engageable foractuating an impact switch 96, and as shown in FIG. 9, an oil spray jet98 is positioned within the workpiece holder for directing an oil sprayinto the lubrication cavity 90 when actuated, all in a manner and for apurpose to be hereinafter described.

The main positioning cylinder 76 is positioned spaced downwardly fromthe workpiece holder 74 as shown and is a double acting cylinder havingan upward fluid, preferably air, inlet I00 and a downward fluid inlet102, both communicating into the cylinder at opposite ends thereof andagainst an annular piston 104 secured telescoping the impact cylinder 78which vertically movably projects centerly through the main positioningcylinder 76. Thus, pressurized air into the main positioning cylinder 76through the upward fluid inlet 100 while exhausting air from thedownward fluid inlet 102 will move the impact cylinder 78 verticallyupwardly to its operative position engaging the lower surface 92 of theworkpiece holder 74, while opposite air application to and from thesefluid inlets will move the impact cylinder downwardly to its inoperativeposition, the operative position being shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and theinoperative position in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6.

The impact cylinder 78 has an impact fluid inlet 106 at the lower endthereof and transverse fluid exhaust openings IIO, the latter beingshown in FIG. 8 and being specifically placed communicating downwardlyinto the impact cylinder beneath a punch holder 112 secured within theimpact cylinder at the extreme upper end thereof The piston-like impactmember 82 is mounted vertically reciprocal within the impact cylinder 78between the impact fluid inlet 106 and the punch holder 112, and thepunch 80 is vertically reciprocally mounted in the punch holder ll2,downwardly cushioned by a spring 116, normally projecting downwardly ofthe punch holder and projecting upwardly of the punch holder upwardlyfrom the end of the impact cylinder 78 exactly vertically aligned withthe punch opening 88 of the workpiece holder 74. As shown by comparisonof FIGS. 6 and 7. a rest 118 is positioned on the main frame 38 locatedfor engagement by the impact cylinder 78 upon movement ofthe impactcylinder to its lower inoperable position and a normally resilientlyupwardly urged cushioning pin 120 projects upwardly from the rest 118for initial engagement by the impact cylinder during downward movementthereof and to cushion the ultimate contact against the rest.

As can be seen particularly in FIGS. 7 and 8. the vari ous describedcomponents particularly including the punch 80 are specifically formedand aligned so that during the latter stages of upward movement of theimpact cylinder 78. the upper end portion of the punch may pass freelyupwardly through the punch opening 88 ofthe workpiece holder 74, and maythen be impact driven by the impact member 82 a further distanceupwardly to perform the reforming or swaging operation As can he bestseen in HO 8. the upper extremity of the punch 80 is specifically formedwith a somewhat enlarged reforming nose I22 pre-calculated to exactlycarry out the desired reforming or swaging operation as will hehereinafter more specifically described.

In operation of the embodiment of swaging machine incorporating theprinciples of the present invention. at complete shut-down conditionthereof. not shown. there will he no ballcock sub-assembly positioned inthe machine and the electromagnet 56 of the force absorbing support 40will be electrically de-energized so that the yieldable resistanceweight 54 will he resting by gravity downwardly against the carriage 46.The impact cylinder 78 of the reforming device 42 will he in itsdownward inoperative position such as that shown in FIGS, l. 2 and 6. Toready the machine for operation. therefor. appropriate controls areactuated to electrically energize the electromagnet 56 of the forceabsorbing support 40 and the yieldable resistance weight 54 is mo\ edupwardly by hand until magnetically gripped by the electromagnet. andrelease of the weight causes the electromagnet to move from its extremeupward position shown in FIG, 4 with the electromagnet and weight mmingdownwardly to the position shown in FIG. 3 compressing the spring 70.

The first of the ballcock sub-assembly 20 is then inserted into themachine. the lower end portion being received downwardly into theworkpiece holder 74 of the reforming device 42 and the upper end portionbeing received transversely againt the workpiece positioner 52 of theforce absorbing support 40. As is shown clearly in FIG 6. this insertionof the ballcock sub-assembly 20 places the partial valve assembly 26downwardly into the workpiece holder positioning recess 84 with the\alve seat of such partial valve as sembly partially telescoping theworkpiece holder pilot portion 86 while resting downwardly on theworkpiece holder. Furthermore. the water inlet connector 22 of the upperend portion of the ballcock sub-assembly 20 is transversely receivedwithin the positioning slot 60 of the workpiece positioner 52 at theforce absorbing support as shown in FIG. 3.

The machine is now ready for a cycled operation and slight rearward orhorizontal depression of the upper end portion ofthe ballcocksub-assembly 20 causes the water inlet connector 22 within thepositioning slot 6t) of the workpiece positioner 52 to rearwardlydepress and hori7ontally pivot the start switch lever 62 from thephantom line to the full line showing in FIG. 5. This ac- (til tuatesthe start switch 64 which de-energizes the electromagnet 56 releasingthe yieldablc resistance weight 54 which then moves downwardly throughgravity to engage and rest on the upper end portion of the ballcocksub-assembly 20 or the upper extremity of the water inlet connector 22as shown in FIG. 4. Upon release of the yieldable resistance weight 54.the compression spring forces the electromagnet 56 upwardly to engagethe stop 58 as also shown in FIG. 4, and shortly thereafter. a timedelay relay in the electrical circuit re-energizcs the electromagnet 56now spaced at considerable distance above the yicldahle resistanceweight 54 and places it in a condition ready for carrying out itsfurther important function in the scquential operation of the machine.

A fraction ofa second delay after the yieldable resis tance weight 54moves downwardly against the upper end portion of the ballcocksub-asscmbly 20. again through usual well known controls. air isadmitted to the upward fluid inlet [00 of the workpiece holder mainpositioning cylinder 76 against the piston 104 while the downward fluidinlet I02 is opened to exhaust air from the main positioning cylinder.This begins upward movement of the impact cylinder 78 from the positionshown in FlG. 6 toward the position shown in FIG. 7 ultimately beginningto project the upper end of the punch 80 into and upwardly through thepunch opening 88 of the workpiece holder 74 in exact axial alignmentwith the water inlet tube 24 of the ballcock sub-assembly 20. At thistime. the impact member 82 within the impact cylinder 78 is restingdownwardly by gravity against the impact fluid inlet I06 as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 so that the lower end of the punch 80 is projectingdownwardly from the punch holder I12 within the impact cylinder 78.

At the final stage of upward movement of the impact cylinder 78 by themain positioning cylinder 76 and as the impact cylinder closes on upwardabutment with the lower surface 92 of the workpiece holder 74, the upperend of the impact cylinder engages the impact switch lever 94 verticallypivoting the same and actuat' ing the impact switch 96. that is. fromthe position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 7. Actuationof the impact switch 96 through usual electrical and air controls.admits a short burst of closely prccalculated high pressure air into theimpact cylinder 78 through the impact fluid inlet 106 propelling theimpact member 82 upwardly with a predetermined force within the impactcylinder. the impact member ultimately returning downwardly by gravityafter striking the punch 80. Also. an oil spray is ejected from the oilspray jet 98 within the lubrication cavity of the workpiece holder 74against the punch 80.

As the impact member 82 impact strikes the punch 80 driving the punchupwardly in its impact stroke as shown in FIG. 8, the punch reformingnose 122. exactly particularly formed. enters the lower end of the waterinlet tube 24 on the ballcock sub-assembly 20 axially and transverselyreforming or swaging the lower end portion of the water inlet tubeoutwardly against the valve seat 30 of the partial valve assembly 26from the form of ballcock sub-assembly 20 shown in FIG. ll to the formshown in FIG. 8. A relatively large part of the impact force istransmitted upwardly lengthwise through the water inlet tube 24 of theballcock subassembly 20 being received at the water inlet connector 22into the yieldable resistance weight 54 causing the yieldable resistanceweight to yield or bounce upwardly providing sufficient downwardresistance for carrying out the impact reforming or swaging operation.yet absorbing a sufficient part of the impact force by the weight upwardmovement to prevent transverse distortion of the water inlet tube 24.The upward movement of the yieldable resistance weight 54 moves itupwardly into the magnetic field of the energized electromagnet 56 andthe electromagnet grips and snubs the weight retaining the same againstreturn to the water inlet connector 22 of the ballcock sub-assembly 20.the weight now being repositioned as shown in FIG. 3. Snubbing orgripping of the yieldable resistance weight 54 by the electromagnet 56causes the combined weights to again depress the compression spring 70as hereinbefore originally described.

Following the impact stroke of the punch 80. appropriate time delaycontrols reverse the flow of air into the main positioning cylinder 76of the reforming device 42 causing air to be admitted through thedownward fluid inlet [02 and exhausted from the upward fluid inlet 100.This begins downward movement of the impact cylinder 78 and forciblywithdraws the punch 80 and its reforming nose 122 from the lower end ofthe now reformed water inlet tube 24 on the ballcock subassembly 20.ultimately withdrawing the punch downwardly through the workpiece holder74 moving the impact cylinder from the position shown in FIG. 8 backtoward the position shown in FIG. 6. In the final stages of downwardmovement of the impact cylinder 78 by the main positioning cylinder 76.the impact cylinder downwardly engages the cushioning pin I20 andsettles against the rest 118 to the final position of FIG. 6 andterminating a complete reforming or swaging cycle of the swagingmachine.

lfthe swaging machine is structured with appropriate controls forcontinuous automatic recycling on a mass production line basis. forsafety of both operator and machine a time delay may be provided atcompletion of the machine cycle to prevent the start of the next cycleuntil the operator has had sufficient time to remove the now completedballcock sub-assembly 20 and insert the next ballcock sub-assembly inposition for the reforming or swaging operation. In any event, thecompleted ballcock sub-assembly 20 is removed from the machine and thenext ballcock sub-assembly inserted in the manner described. Slightrearward depression of the hallcock sub-assembly 20 now mounted in themachine will begin a repeat of the swaging machine cycle exactly ashereinbefore described.

According to the present invention. therefore. an embodiment of swagingmachine has been shown and de scribed for the reforming of an endportion of an elongated workpiece. the ballcock subassemblies 20. whichreforming or swaging operation requires an extensive force at the firstworkpiece end portion at least part of which is transmitted lengthwisethrough the workpiece while the workpiece remains effectivelyunsupported between the end portions. The reforming or swaging force.therefore. can only have the required resistance to accomplish thereforming applied at the second workpiece end portion. In the particularem bodiment. the required impact force by the punch 80 required to enterand reform or swage the lower end portion of the water inlet tube 24 isresisted by the yieldable resistance weight 54. Combined resistance andyieldable upward movement of the weight 54 pro- (ill vides sufficientresistance for accomplishing the impact reforming or swaging operationwhile yielding sufficiently to prevent transverse deformation of theeffectively unsupported part of the water inlet tube 24 between the endportions thereof. In this manner. the required impact force having atleast a part thereof transmitted lengthwise through the intermediatelyunsupported water inlet tube 24 which would normally distort the waterinlet tube if solidly resisted is sufficiently resisted to accomplishthe reforming operation while sufficiently absorbed through yieldableupward movement of the weight 54 to prevent such unwanted transversedistortion of the water inlet tube.

It is clear to those skilled in the art that the unique impact force andyieldable resistance force principles of the present invention may beequally efficiently applied to many other reforming operations wheresimilar problems exist. Thus, it is not intended to limit the principlesofthe present invention to the exact embodiment shown nor beyond theexpress limitations set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

I. In a mechanism for controlled reforming of an end portion of anelongated workpiece subject to transverse deformation; the combinationof: a force absorbing support having engagement means thereon forcngaging one end of said elongated workpiece and yieldably resisting adetermined impact force transmitted lengthwise through said workpiecefrom an opposite end portion thereof while said workpiece is effectivelytransversely unsupported over a substantial portion thereof between saidend portions, said yieldable resistance of said engagement meansabsorbing a sufficient part of said determined impact force preventingtransverse deformation of said workpiece transversely unsupportedportion; a reforming device engagable with said workpiece opposite endportion including impact reforming means moveable in a determined impactreforming stroke lengthwise of said workpiece against said workpieceopposite end portion producing an exact determined reforming of saidworkpiece opposite end portion 2. In a mechanism as defined in claim 1in which said impact reforming means is mounted moveable in a determinedimpact reforming stroke lengthwise of said workpiece against andpenetrating into said workpiece opposite end portion. said impactreforming means having reforming surfaces thereon forming said workpieceopposite end portion at least partially transversally during saidpenetration.

3. In a mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said impact reformingmeans is comprised of a punch aligned with and moveable in said impactreforming stroke lengthwise of said workpiece and a fluid propelledimpact member moveable in an impact stroke lengthwise of said workpieceagainst said punch.

4. In a mechanism as defined in claim I in which said reforming deviceincludes a workpiece positioning device receiving and positioning saidworkpiece opposite end portion thereon, said impact reforming meansbeing moveable toward and away from said workpiece positioning device.said impact reforming means when moved to said workpiece positioningdevice being moveable in said determined impact reforming stroke.

5. In a mechanism as defined in claim I in which said impact reformingmeans is moveable in a determined impact reforming stroke lengthwise ofsaid workpiece against and penetrating into said workpiece opposite endportion. said impact reforming means having reforming surfaces formedthereon at least partially transversely reforming said workpieceopposite end portion during said penetration; and in which saidreforming device includes a workpiece positioning device engaged by andpositioning said workpiece opposite end portion during said impactreforming means reforming movement and penetration. mounting meansoperably connected to said impact reforming means for moving said impactreforming means between an operable position at said workpiecepositioning device and an inoperable position spaced from said workpiecepositioning device. said mounting means in said impact reforming meansoperable position move-ably retaining said impact reforming means forsaid determined impact reforming stroke and during movement of saidmounting means from said operable to said inoperable position after saidimpact reforming stroke forceably withdrawing said impact reformingmeans from said workpiece opposite end portion penetration.

6. ln a mechanism as defined in claim I in which said reforming deviceincludes a workpiece positioning device receiving and positioning saidworkpiece opposite end portion during said impact reforming meansmovement in said determined impact reforming stroke; and in which saidimpact reforming means is comprised of mounting means reciprocallymounting a punch aligned lengthwise of said workpiece and reciprocallymounting a fluid propelled impact member aligned with said punch. saidmounting means carrying said punch and said impact member being moveablebetween an operable position with said punch at said workpiecepositioning device and an inoperable position with said punch spacedfrom said workpiece positioning device. fluid propelling means on saidmounting means actionable against said impact member when said mountingmeans is in said operable position to propel said impact member againstsaid punch and said punch into penetration into said workpiece oppositeend portion carrying out said determined impact reforming stroke. saidmounting means forceably withdrawing said punch from said workpieceopposite end portion after said impact reforming stroke upon movement ofsaid mounting means from said operable toward said inoperable position7. In a mechanism as defined in claim I in which said workpiece includesan elongated tubular part having an end portion telescoped by arelatively short tubular connection. said tubular part end portion andtubular connection carrying said workpiece opposite end portion; and inwhich said impact reforming means in said determined impact reformingstroke penetrates said tubular part end portion and forms said tubularpart end portion at least partially transversely outwardly against saidtubular connection.

8. In a mechanism as defined in claim I in which said workpiece includesan elongated tubular part telescoped by an outer part. said tubular andouter parts having end portions comprising said workpiece opposite cnd,portion: in which said reforming device includes a workpiece positioningdevice receiving and positioning said workpiece opposite end portionduring said impact reforming stroke; in which said impact reformingmeans is comprised of mounting means reciprocally mounting a punchaligned lengthwise of said workpiece and reciprocally mounting a fluidpropelled impact member aligned with said punch, said mounting meanscarrying said punch and said impact member being moveable between anoperable position with said punch at said workpiece positioning deviceand an inoperable position with said punch spaced from said workpiecepositioning device, fluid propelling means on said mounting meansactionable against said impact member when said mounting means is insaid operable position to propel said impact member against said punchand said punch into penetration into said tubular part reforming saidtubular part at least partially transversely against said telescopedpart carrying out said determined impact reforming stroke, said mountingmeans forceably withdrawing said punch from said tubular part after saidimpact reforming stroke upon movement of said mounting means from saidoperable toward said inoperable position.

9. In a mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said reforming deviceincludes a workpiece positioning device receiving and positioning saidworkpiece opposite end portion during said impact reforming meansmovement in said determined impact reforming stroke; and in which saidimpact reforming means is comprised of cylinder means reciprocallymounting a punch projecting from an end thereof and aligned lengthwiseof said workpiece and reciprocally mounting a piston-like impact membermoveahle by gaseous fluid with an impact force against said punch.mounting means carrying said cylinder with said punch and said impactmember and moving said cylinder between an operable position with saidpunch at said workpiece positioning device and an inoperable positionwith said punch spaced from said workpiece positioning device. saidmounting means having fluid positioning means thereon operable formoving said cylinder with said punch and said impact member between saidoperable and inoperable positions, gaseous fluid supply means operablyconnected to said cylinder for directing said gaseous fluid against saidimpact member when said cylinder is in said opera ble position to propelsaid impact member against said punch and said punch into penetrationinto said workpiece opposite end portion carrying out said determinedimpact reforming stroke. said mounting means forceably withdrawing saidpunch from said workpiece opposite end portion after said impactreforming stroke upon movement of said mounting means from said operabletoward said inoperable position.

10. In a mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said elongatedworkpiece is positioned extending lengthwise generally vertically duringsaid controlled reforming. said workpiece one end portion constitutingan upper end portion and said workpiece opposite end portionconstituting a lower end portion; and in which said engagement means ofsaid force absorbing support comprises vertically reciprocal weightmeans resting downwardly against said workpiece upper end portion atcommencement of said determined impact reforming stroke of said impactreforming means, said weight means creating said yieldable resistance byupward movement in reaction to said determined impact reforming stroke.

H. in a mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said elongatedworkpiece is positioned extending lengthwise generally vertically duringsaid controlled reforming, said workpiece one end portion constitutingan upper end portion and said workpiece opposite end portionconstituting a lower end portion; in which said engagement means of saidforce absorbing support comprises vertically reciprocal weight meansresting downwardly against said workpiece upper end portion atcommencement of said determined impact reforming stroke of said impactreforming means. said weight means creating said yield-able resistanceby upward movement in reaction to said determined impact reformingstroke. said weight means moving upwardly away from said workpiece upperend portion in reaction to said determined impact reforming stroke; andin which said force absorbing support includes snubber means forsnubbing said weight means spaced upwardly from said workpiece upper endportion upon upward movement of said weight means.

12. ln a mechanism as defined in claim I in which said elongatedworkpiece is positioned extending lengthwise generally vertically duringsaid controlled reforming. said workpiece one end portion constitutingan upper end portion and said workpiece opposite end portionconstituting a lower end portion; in which said engagement means of saidforce absorbing support comprises vertically reciprocal weight meansresting downwardly against said workpiece upper end portion atcommencement of said determined impact reforming stroke of said impactreforming means, said weight means creating said yieldable resistance byupward movement in reaction to said determined impact reforming stroke.said weight means moving upwardly away from said workpiece upper endportion in reaction to said determined impact reforming stroke; and inwhich said force absorbing support includes snubber means for snubhingsaid weight means spaced upwardly front said workpiece upper end portionupon upward movement of said weight means. said snubber means comprisingelectromagnet means spaced above said weight means at commencement ofsaid determined impact reforming stroke and while said weight meansengages said workpiece upper end portion. said electromagnet means beingenergized and magnetically gripping said weight means upon upwardmovement of said weight means reacting front said determined impactreforming stroke and retaining said weight means spaced above saidworkpiece upper end portion during said magnetic gripping.de-energization of said electro magnet means releasing said weight meansfor downward movement of said weight means into engagement with saidworkpiece upper end portion prior to commencement of said determinedimpact reforming stroke.

13. in a mechanism as defined in claim I in which said elongatedworkpiece is positioned extending lengthwise generally vertically duringsaid controlled reforming. said workpiece one end portion constitutingan upper end portion and said workpiece opposite end portionconstituting a lower end portion; in which said engagement means of saidforce absorbing support comprises vertically reciprocal weight meansresting downwardly against said workpiece upper end portion atcommencement of said determined impact rcform ing stroke of said impactreforming means. said weight means creating said yieldable resistance byupward mmement in reaction to said determined impact reforming stroke.said weight means moving upwardly away from said workpiece upper endportion in reaction to said determined impact reforming stroke; and inwhich said force absorbing support includes snubber means for snubbingsaid weight means spaced upwardly from said workpiece upper end portionupon upward movement of said weight means. said snubber means comprisingelectromagnet means spaced above said weight means at commencement ofsaid determined impact reforming stroke and while said weight meansengages said workpiece upper end portion. and electromagnet means beingenergized and magnetically gripping said weight means upon upwardmovement of said weight means reacting from said determined impactreforming stroke and retaining said weight means spaced above saidworkpiece upper end portion during said magnetic gripping.de-energization of said electromagnet means releasing said weight meansfor downward movement of said weight means into engagement with saidworkpiece upper end portion prior to commencement of said determinedimpact reforming stroke, resilient means suspending said electromagnetmeans for absorbing generally vertical forces created by said weightmeans upward movement and said magnetic gripping of said weight means bysaid electromagnet means.

14. In a mechanism as defined in claim I in which said impact reformingmeans is comprised of a punch aligned with and moveable in said impactreforming stroke lengthwise of said workpiece and a fluid propclledimpact member mo eable in an impact stroke lengthwise of said workpieceagainst said punch: in which said elongated workpiece is positionedextending lengthwise generally vertically during said controlledreforming. said workpiece one end portion constituting an upper endportion and said workpiece opposite end portion constituting a lower endportion; and in which said engagement means of said force absorbingsupport comprises vertically reciprocal weight means resting downwardlyagainst said workpiece upper end portion at commencement of saiddetermined impact reforming stroke of said impact reforming means. saidweight means creating said yieldable resistance by upward movement inreaction to said determined impact reforming stroke.

15. In a mechanism as defined in claim I in which said reforming deviceincludes a workpiece positioning device receiving and positioning saidworkpiece opposite end portion during said impact reforming meansmovement in said determined impact reforming stroke; in which saidimpact reforming means is comprised of mounting means reciprocallymounting a punch aligned lengthwise of said workpiece and reciprocallymounting a fluid propelled impact member aligned with said punch. saidmounting means carrying said punch and said impact member being moveablebetween an operable position with said punch at said workpiecepositioning device and an inoperable position with said punch spacedfrom said workpiece positioning device. fluid propelling means on saidmounting means actionable against said impact member when said mountingmeans is in said operable position to propel said impact member againstsaid punch and said punch into penetration into said workpiece oppositeend portion carrying out said determined impact reforming stroke. saidmounting means forceably withdrawing said punch from said workpieceopposite end portion after said impact reforming stroke upon movement ofsaid mounting means from said operable toward said inoperable position;in which said elongated workpiece is positioned estending lengthwisegenerally \ertically during said controlled reforming. said workpieceone end portion constituting an upper end por tion and said workpieceopposite end portion constituting a lower end portion; and in which saidengagement means of said force absorbing support comprises verticallyreciprocal weight means resting downwardly against said workpiece upperend portion at commencement of said determined impact reforming strokeof said impact reforming means. said weight means creating saidyieldable resistance by upward movement in reaction to said determinedimpact reforming stroke.

16. hi a mechanism as defined in claim I in which said workpieceincludes an elongated tubular part telescopcd by an outer part. saidtubular and outer parts having end portions comprising said workpieceoppo site end portion: in which said reforming device includes aworkpiece positioning device receiving and positioning said workpieceopposite end portion during said impact reforming means movement in saiddetermined impact reforming stroke; in which said impact reforming meansis comprised of mounting means reciprocally mounting a punch alignedlengthwise of said workpiece and reciprocally mounting a fluid propelledimpact member aligned with said punch. said mounting means carrying saidpunch and said impact member being mo\able between an operable positionwith said punch at said workpiece positioning device and an inoperableposition with said punch spaced from said workpiece positioning device.fluid propelling means on said mounting means actionable against saidimpact member when said mounting means is in said operable position topropel said impact member against said punch and said punch intopenetration into said tubular part reforming said tubular part at leastpartially trans- \crsely against said telescoped part carrying out saiddetermined impact reforming stroke. said mounting means forceablywithdrawing said punch from said tubular part after said impactreforming stroke upon movement of said mounting means from said operabletoward said inoperable position; in which said elongated workpiece ispositioned extending lengthwise generally vertically during saidcontrolled reforming, said workpiece one end portion constituting anupper end portion and said workpiece opposite end portion constituting alower end portion; and in which said engagement means of said forceabsorbing support comprises vertically reciprocal weight means restingdownwardly against said workpiece upper end portion at commencement ofsaid determined impact reforming stroke of said impact reforming means.said weight means creating said yieldable resistance by upward movementin reaction to said determined impact reforming stroke.

17. In a mechanism as defined in claim I in which said impact reformingmeans is comprised of a punch aligned with and moveable in said impactreforming stroke lengthwise of said workpiece and a fluid pro pelledimpact member moveable in an impact stroke lengthwise of said workpieceagainst said punch; in which said elongated workpiece is positionedextending lengthwise generally vertically during said controlledreforming. said workpiece one end portion constituting an upper endportion and said workpiece opposite end portion constituting a lower endportion; in which said engagement means of said force absorbing supportcomprises vertically reciprocal weight means resting downwardly againstsaid workpiece upper end portion at commencement of said determinedimpact reforming stroke of said impact reforming means. said weightmeans creating said yieldable resistance by upward movement in reactionto said determined impact reforming stroke. said weight means movingupwardly away from said workpiece upper end portion in reaction to saiddetermined impact reforming stroke; and in which said force absorbingsupport includes snubber means for snubbing said weight means spacedupwardly from said workpiece upper end portion upon upward movement ofsaid weight means.

18. In a mechanism as defined in claim I in which said reforming deviceincludes a workpiece positioning device receiving and positioning saidworkpiece opposite end portion during said impact reforming meansmovement in said determined impact reforming stroke; in which saidimpact reforming means is comprised of cylinder means reciprocallymounting a punch projecting from an end thereof and aligned lengthwiseof said workpiece and reciprocally mounting a piston-like impact membermoveable by gaseous fluid with an impact force against said punch.mounting means carrying said cylinder with said punch and said impactmember and moving said cylinder between an operable position with saidpunch at said workpiece positioning device and an inoperable positionwith said punch spaced from said workpiece positioning device. saidmounting means having fluid positioning means thereon operable formoving said cylinder with said punch and said impact member between saidoperable and inoperable positions. gaseous fluid supply means operablyconnected to said cylinder for directing said gaseous fluid against saidimpact member when said cylinder is in said operable position to propelsaid impact member against said punch and said punch into penetrationinto said workpiece opposite end portion carrying out said determinedimpact reforming stroke. said mounting means forceably withdrawing saidpunch from said workpiece opposite end portion after said impactreforming stroke upon movement of said mounting means from said operabletoward said inoperable position; in which said elongated workpiece ispositioned extending lengthwise generally vertically during saidcontrolled reforming. said workpiece one end portion constituting anupper end portion and said workpiece opposite end portion constituting alower end portion; in which said engagement means of said forceabsorbing support comprises vertically reciprocal weight means restingdownwardly against said workpiece upper end portion at commencement ofsaid determined impact reforming stroke of said impact reforming means.said weight means creating said yieldable resistance by upward movementin reaction to said determined impact reforming stroke. said weightmeans moving upwardly away from said workpiece upper end portion in reaction to said determined impact reforming stroke; and in which said forceabsorbing support includes snubber means for snubbing said weight meansspaced upwardly from said workpiece upper end portion upon upwardmovement of said weight means. said snubber means comprisingclectromagnet means spaced above said pact reforming stroke andretaining said weight means spaced above said workpiece upper endportion during said magnetic gripping. de-energization of saidelectromagnet means releasing said weight means for downward movement ofsaid weight means into engagement with said workpiece upper end portionprior to commencement of said determined impact reforming stroke.resilient means suspending said electromagnet means for absorbinggenerally vertical forces created by said weight means upward movementand said magnetic gripping of said weight means by said electromagnetmeans.

[9. In a method of controlled reforming of an end portion of anelongated workpiece subject to transverse deformation; the steps of;positioning an elongated workpiece effectively unsupported over asubstantial part between end portions thereof; engaging one of saidworkpiece end portions with determined yieldable resistanee means;impacting an opposite of said workpiece end portions by a determinedimpact reforming force to controllably reform said opposite end portionwhile transmitting a sufficient part of said force length wise throughsaid workpiece to normally cause transverse deformation of saidworkpiece unsupported part; during said impacting. partially absorbingsaid impact reforming force part by movement of said yieldableresistance means reducing said force part sufficient to prevent saidtransverse deformation of said workpiece unsupported part.

20. In a method as defined in claim 19 in which said impacting includescontrollably reforming said opposite end portion by lengthwisepenetrating and at least part transversely reforming said opposite endportion.

2|. In a method as defined in claim 19 in which said impacting includescontrollably reforming said opposite end portion by lengthwisepenetrating and at least part transversely reforming said opposite endportion by an impact member in the form of a punch.

22. In a method as defined in claim 19 in which said impacting includescontrollably reforming said opposite end portion by lengthwisepenetrating a hole of said opposite end portion and at least parttransversely reforming said opposite end portion outwardly against andgenerally conforming to a telescoping outer workpiece.

23. In a method as defined in claim I) in which said impacting includesfluid propelling impact reforming means against and lengthwisepenetrating into said workpiece opposite end portion providing saiddetermined impact reforming force to controllably reform said oppositeend portion.

24. In a method as defined in claim [9 in which said impacting includesimpacting reforming means lengthwise against said workpiece opposite endportion lengthwise penetrating and at least part transversely reformingsaid opposite end portion to place said reforming means in lengthwiseinterference with said opposite end portion. forceably withdrawing saidreforming means from said workpiece opposite end portionv 25. In amethod as defined in claim 19 in which said impacting includes impactingan impact member against a punch lengthwise of said workpiece oppositeend portion causing said punch to contact with said determined impactreforming force said opposite end portion and penetrate an opening ofsaid opposite end por tion to at least part transversely reform saidopposite end portion and place said punch in lengthwise interference insaid opposite end portion. forceably withdrawing said punch from saidinterference with said workpiece opposite end portion.

26. In a method as defined in claim l9 in which said impacting includesmoveably impacting an impact member against a punch driving said punchinto an opening of said workpiece opposite end portion with saiddetermined impact reforming force to penetrate said opposite end portionopening and part transversely reform said opposite end portion at leastpartially conforming outwardly with and transversely against an outertelescoping workpiece while placing said punch in lengthwiseinterference with said opposite end portion. forceably withdrawing saidpunch from lengthwise interference with said workpiece opposite endportion.

27. in a method as defined in claim 19 in which said positioning of saidelongated workpiece includes generally vertically positioning saidelongated workpiece with said workpiece one end portion above saidworkpiece opposite end portion; and in which said engaging of saidworkpiece one end portion with said determined yieldable resistancemeans and said partially absorbing of said impact reforming force partincludes engaging said workpiece one end portion with a vcrticallymoveable weight resting downwardly there against and partially absorbingsaid impact reforming force part by permitting said weight to yieldablymove upwardly in reaction to said impact reforming force.

28. In a method as defined in claim 19 in which said positioning of saidelongated workpiece includes generally vertically positioning saidelongated workpiece with said workpiece one end portion above saidworkpiece opposite end portion; and in which said engaging of saidworkpiece one end portion with said determined yicldable resistancemeans and said partially absorbing of said impact reforming force partincludes engaging said workpiece one end portion with a verticallymoveable weight resting downwardly there against and partially absorbingsaid impact reforming force part by permitting said weight to yieldablymove upwardly in reaction to said impact reforming force. snubbing saidweight upon upward movement of said weight from reaction of said impactreforming force and temporarily retaining said weight spaced above saidworkpiece one end portion.

29. In a method as defined in claim 19 in which said positioning of saidelongated workpiece includes generally vertically positioning saidelongated workpiece with said workpiece one end portion above saidworkpiece opposite end portion; and in which said engaging of saidworkpiece one end portion with said determined yieldable resistancemeans and said partially absorbing of said impact reforming force partincludes engaging said workpiece one end portion with a verticallymoveable weight resting downwardly there against and par tiallyabsorbing said impact reforming force part by permitting said weight toyieldably move upwardly in reaction to said impact reforming force.snubbing said weight by moving said weight upwardly into a magneticfield of an electromagnet during said weight upward movement in reactionto said impact reforming force. magnetically retaining said weighttemporarily spaced above said workpiece one end portion upon said weightupward movement into said magnetic field.

30. In a method as defined in claim I) in which said positioning of saidelongated workpiece includes generally vertically positioning saidelongated workpiece with said workpiece one end portion above saidworkpiece opposite end portion; and in which said engaging of saidworkpiece one end portion with said determined yieldable resistancemeans and said partially absorbing of said impact reforming force partincludes engaging said workpiece one end portion with a verticallymoveable weight resting downwardly there against and partially absorbingsaid impact reforming force part by permitting said weight to yieldablymove upwardly in reaction to said reforming force. passing said weightinto a magnetic field of a resiliently suspended electromagnet uponupward movement of said weight in reaction to said impact reformingforce. resiliently magnetically suspending said weight temporarilyspaced above said workpiece one end portion upon said weight upwardmovement in reaction to said impact reforming force.

31. In a method as defined in claim 19 in which said impacting includescontrollably reforming said opposite end portion by lengthwisepenetrating and at least part transversely reforming said opposite endportion". in which said positioning of said elongated workpiece includesgenerally vertically positioning said elongated workpiece with saidworkpiece one end portion above said workpiece opposite end portion; andin which said engaging of said workpiece one end portion with saiddetermined yieldable resistance means and said partially absorbing ofsaid impact reforming force part ineludes engaging said workpiece oneend portion with a vertically moveahle weight resting downwardly thereagainst and partially absorbing said impact reforming force part bypermitting said weight to yieldably move upwardly in reaction to saidimpact reforming force.

32. In a method as defined in claim 19 in which said impacting includescontrollably reforming said opposite end portion by lengthwisepenetrating and at least part transversely reforming said opposite endportion by an impact member in the form ofa punch; in which saidpositioning of said elongated workpiece includes generally verticallypositioning said elongated workpiece with said workpiece one end portionabove said workpiece opposite end portion; and in which said engaging ofsaid workpiece one end portion with said determined yieldable resistancemeans and said partially absorbing of said impact reforming force partincludes engaging said workpiece one end portion with a verticallymoveahle weight resting downwardly there against and partially absorbingsaid impact reforming force part by permitting said weight to yieldablymove upwardly in reaction to said impact reforming force. snubbing saidweight upon upward movement of said weight from reaction of said impactreforming force and temporarily retaining said weight spaced above saidworkpiece one end portion.

33. la a method as defined in claim 19 in which said impacting includescontrollably reforming said opposite end portion by lengthwisepenetrating a hole of said opposite end portion and at least parttransversely reforming said opposite end portion outwardly against andgenerally conforming to a telescoping outer workpiece; in which saidpositioning of said elongated workpiece includes generally verticallypositioning said elongated workpiece with said workpiece one end portionabove said workpiece opposite end portion; and in which said engaging ofsaid workpiece one end portion with said determined yieldable resistancemeans and said partially absorbing of said impact reforming force partincludes engaging said workpiece one end portion with a verticallymoveable weight resting downwardly there against and partially absorbingsaid impact reforming force part by permitting said weight to yieldablymove upwardly in reaction to said impact reforming force. snubbing saidweight upon upward movement of said weight from reaction of said impactreforming force and temporarily retaining said weight spaced above saidworkpiece one end portion.

34. In a method as defined in claim 19 in which said impacting includesimpacting said impact member against a punch lengthwise of saidworkpiece opposite end portion causing said punch to contact with saidde termined impact reforming force said opposite end portion andpenetrate an opening of said opposite end portion to at least parttransversely reform said opposite end portion and place said punch inlengthwise interference in said opposite end portion. forceablywithdrawing said punch from lengthwise interference with said workpieceopposite end portion; in which said positioning of said elongatedworkpiece includes generally vertically positioning said elongatedworkpiece with said workpiece one end portion above said workpieceopposite end portion; and in which said engaging of said workpiece oneend portion with said determined yieldable resistance means and saidpartially absorbing of said impact reforming force part includesengaging said workpiece one end portion with a vertically moveableweight resting downwardly there against and partially absorbing saidimpact reforming force part by permitting said weight to yicldably moveupwardly in reaction to said impact reforming force. snubbing saidweight upon upward movement of said weight from reaction of said impactreforming force and temporarily retaining said weight spaced above saidworkpiece one end portion.

35. In a method as defined in claim 19 in which said impacting includesmoveably impacting an impact member against a punch driving said punchinto an opening of said workpiece opposite end portion with saiddetermined impact reforming force to penetrate said opposite end portionopening and part transversely reform said opposite end portion at leastpartially conforming outwardly with and transversely against an outertelescoping workpiece while placing said punch in lengthwiseinterference with said opposite end portion, forceably withdrawing saidpunch from lengthwise interference with said workpiece opposite endportion; in which said positioning of said elongated workpiece includesgenerally vertically positioning said elongated workpiece with saidworkpiece one end portion above said workpiece opposite end portion; andin which said engaging of said workpiece one end portion with saiddetermined yieldable resistance means and said partially absorbing ofsaid impact reforming force part ineludes engaging said workpiece oneend portion with a vertically moveahle weight resting downwardly thereagainst and partially absorbing said impact reforming force part bypermitting said weight to yieldably move upwardly in reaction to saidreforming force. snubbing said weight by moving said weight upwardlyinto a magnetic field of an electromagnet during said weight upwardmovement in reaction to said impact reforming force. magneticallyretaining said weight temporarily spaced above said workpiece one endportion upon said weight upward movement into said magnetic field.

1. In a mechanism for controlled reforming of an end portion of anelongated workpiece subject to transverse deformation; the combinationof: a force absorbing support having engagement means thereon forengaging one end of said elongated workpiece and yieldably resisting adetermined impact force transmitted lengthwise through said workpiecefrom an opposite end portion thereof while said workpiece is effectivelytransversely unsupported over a substantial portion thereof between saidend portions, said yieldable resistance of said engagement meansabsorbing a sufficient part of said determined impact force preventingtransverse deformation of said workpiece transversely unsupportedportion; a reforming device engagable with said workpiece opposite endportion including impact reforming means moveable in a determined impactreforming stroke lengthwise of said workpiece against said workpieceopposite end portion producing an exact determined reforming of saidworkpiece opposite end portion.
 2. In a mechanism as defined in claim 1in which said impact reforming means is mounted moveable in a determinedimpact reforming stroke lengthwise of said workpiece against andpenetrating into said workpiece opposite end portion, said impactreforming means having reforming surfaces thereon forming said workpieceopposite end portion at least partially transversally during saidpenetration.
 3. In a mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which saidimpact reforming means is comprised of a punch aligned with and moveablein said impact reforming stroke lengthwise of said workpiece and a fluidpropelled impact member moveable in an impact stroke lengthwise of saidworkpiece against said punch.
 4. In a mechanism as defined in claim 1 inwhich said reforming device includes a workpiece positioning devicereceiving and positioning said workpiece opposite end portion thereon,said impact reforming means being moveable toward and away from saidworkpiece positioning device, said impact reforming means when moved tosaid workpiece positioning device being moveable in said determinedimpact reforming stroke.
 5. In a mechanism as defined in claim 1 inwhich said impact reforming means is moveable in a determined impactreforming stroke lengthwise of said workpiece against and penetratinginto said workpiece opposite end portion, said impact reforming meanshaving reforming surfaces formed thereon at least partially transverselyreforming said workpiece opposite end portion during said penetration;and in which said reforming device includes a workpiece positioningdevice engaged by and positioning said workpiece opposite end portionduring said impact reforming means reforming movement and penetration,mounting means operably connected to said impact reforming means formoving said impact reforming means between an operable position at saidworkpiece positioning device and an inoperable position spaced from saidworkpiece positioning device, said mounting means in said impactreforming means operable position moveably retaining said impactreforming means for said determined impact reforming stroke and duringmovement of said mounting means from said operable to said inoperableposition after said impact reforming stroke forceably withdrawing saidimpact reforming means from said workpiece opposite end portionpenetration.
 6. In a mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which saidreforming device includes a workpiece positioning device receiving andpositioning said workpiece opposite end portion during said impactreforming means movement in said determined impact reforming stroke; andin which said impact reforming means is comprised of mounting meansreciprocally mounting a punch aligned lengthwise of said workpiece andreciprocally mounting a fluid propelled impact member aligned with saidpunch, said mounting means carrying said punch and said impact memberbeing moveable between an operable position with said punch at saidworkpiece positioning device and an inoperable position with said punchspaced from said workpiece positioning device, fluid propelling means onsaid mounting means actionable against said impact member when saidmounting means is in said operable position to propel said impact memberagainst said punch and said punch into penetration into said workpieceopposite end portion carrying out said determined impact reformingstroke, said mounting means forceably withdrawing said punch from saidworkpiece opposite end portion after said impact reforming stroke uponmovement of said mounting means from said operable toward saidinoperable position.
 7. In a mechanism as defined in claim 1 in whichsaid workpiece includes an elongated tubular part having an end portiontelescoped by a relatively short tubular connection, said tubular partend portion and tubular connection carrying said workpiece opposite endportion; and in which said impact reforming means in said determinedimpact reforming stroke penetrates said tubular part end portion andforms said tubular part end portion at least partially transverselyoutwardly against said tubular connection.
 8. In a mechanism as definedin claim 1 in which said workpiece includes an elongated tubular parttelescoped by an outer part, said tubular and outer parts having endportions comprising said workpiece opposite end portion; in which saidreforming device includes a workpiece positioning device receiving andpositioning said workpiece opposite end portion during said impactreforming stroke; in which said impact reforming means is comprised ofmounting means reciprocally mounting a punch aligned lengthwise of saidworkpiece and reciprocally mounting a fluid propelled impact memberaligned with said punch, said mounting means carrying said punch andsaid impact member being moveable between an operable position with saidpunch at said workpiece positioning device and an inoperable positionwith said punch spaced from said workpiece positioning device, fluidpropelling means on said mounting means actionable against said impactmember when said mounting means is in said operable position to propelsaid impact member against said punch and said punch into penetrationinto said tubular part reforming said tubular part at least partiallytransversely against said telescoped part carrying out said determinedimpact reforming stroke, said mounting means forceably withdrawing saidpunch from said tubular part after said impact reforming stroke uponmovement of said mounting means from said operable toward saidinoperable position.
 9. In a mechanism as defined in claim 1 in whichsaid reforming device includes a workpiece positioning device receivingand positioning said workpiece opposite end portion during said impactreforming means movement in said determined impact reforming stroke; andin which said impact reforming means is comprised of cylinder meansreciprocally mounting a punch projecting from an end thereof and alignedlengthwise of said workpiece and reciprocally mounting a piston-likeimpact member moveable by gaseous fluid with an impact force againstsaid punch, mounting means carrying said cylinder with said punch andsaid impact member and moving said cylinder between an operable positionwith said punch at said workpiece positioning device and an inoperableposition with said punch spaced from said workpiece positioning device,said mounting means having fluid positioning means thereon operable formoving said cylinder with said punch and said impact member between saidoperable and inoperable positions, gaseous fluid supply means operablyconnected to said cylinder for directing said gaseous fluid against saidimpact member when said cylinder is in said operable position to propelsaid impact member against said punch and said punch into penetrationinto said workpiece opposite end portion carrying out said determinedimpact reforming stroke, said mounting means forceably withdrawing saidpunch from said workpiece opposite end portion after said impactreforming stroke upon movement of said mounting means from said operabletoward said inoperable position.
 10. In a mechanism as defined in claim1 in which said elongated workpiece is positioned extending lengthwisegenerally vertically during said controlled reforming, said workpieceone end portion constituting an upper end portion and said workpieceopposite end portion constituting a lower end portion; and in which saidengagement means of said force absorbing support comprises verticallyreciprocal weight means resting downwardly against said workpiece upperend portion at commencement of said determined impact reforming strokeof said impact reforming means, said weight means creating saidyieldable resistance by upward movement in reaction to said determinedimpact reforming stroke.
 11. In a mechanism as defined in claim 1 inwhich said elongated workpiece is positioned extending lengthwisegenerally vertically during said controlled reforming, said workpieceone end portion constituting an upper end portion and said workpieceopposite end portion constituting a lower end portion; in which saidengagement means of said force absorbing support comprises verticallyreciprocal weight means resting downwardly against said workpiece upperend portion at commencement of said determined impact reforming strokeof said impact reforming means, said weight means creating saidyieldable resistance by upward movement in reaction to said determinedimpact reforming stroke, said weight means moving upwardly away fromsaid workpiece upper end portion in reaction to said determined impactreforming stroke; and in which said force absorbing support includessnubber means for snubbing said weight means spaced upwardly from saidworkpiece upper end portion upon upward movement of said weight means.12. In a mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said elongatedworkpiece is positioned extending lengthwise generally vertically duringsaid controlled reforming, said workpiece one end portion constitutingan upper end portion and said workpiece opposite end portionconstituting a lower end portion; in which said engagement means of saidforce absorbing support comprises vertically reciprocal weight meansresting downwardly against said workpiece upper end portion atcommencement of said determined impact reforming stroke of said impactreforming means, said weight means creating said yieldable resistance byupward movement in reaction to said determined impact reforming stroke,said weight means moving upwardly away from said workpiece upper endportion in reaction to said determined impact reforming stroke; and inwhich said force absorbing support includes snubber means for snubbingsaid weight means spaced upwardly from said workpiece upper end portionupon upward movement of said weight means, said snubber means comprisingelectromagnet means spaced above said weight means at commencement ofsaid determined impact reforming stroke and while said weight meansengages said workpiece upper end portion, said electromagnet means beingenergized and magnetically gripping said weight means upon upwardmovement of said weight means reacting from said determined impactreforming stroke and retaining said weight means spaced above saidworkpiece upper end portion during said magnetic gripping,de-energization of said electromagnet means releasing said weight meansfor downward movement of said weight means into engagement with saidworkpiece upper end portion prior to commencement of said determinedimpact reforming stroke.
 13. In a mechanism as defined in claim 1 inwhich said elongated workpiece is positioned extending lengthwisegenerally vertically during said controlled reforming, said workpieceone end portion constituting an upper end portion and said workpieceopposite end portion constituting a lower end portion; in which saidengagement means of said force absorbing support comprises verticallyreciprocal weight means resting downwardly against said workpiece upperend portion at commencement of said determined impact reforming strokeof said impact reforming means, said weight means creating saidyieldable resistance by upward movement in reaction to said determinedimpact reforming stroke, said weight means moving upwardly away fromsaid workpiece upper end portion in reaction to said determined impactreforming stroke; and in which said force absorbing support includessnubber means for snubbing said weight means spaced upwardly from saidworkpiece upper end portion upon upward movement of said weight means,said snubber means comprising electromagnet means spaced above saidweight means at commencement of said determined impact reforming strokeand while said weight means engages said workpiece upper end portion,and electromagnet means being energized and magnetically gripping saidweight means upon upward movement of said weight means reacting fromsaid determined impact reforming stroke and retaining said weight meansspaced above said workpiece upper end portion during said magneticgripping, de-energization of said electromagnet means releasing saidweight means for downward movement of said weight means into engagementwith said workpiece upper end portion prior to commencement of saiddetermined impact reforming stroke, resilient means suspending saidelectromagnet means for absorbing generally vertical forces created bysaid weight means upward movement and said magnetic gripping of saidweight means by said electromagnet means.
 14. In a mechanism as definedin claim 1 in which said impact reforming means is comprised of a punchaligned with and moveable in said impact reforming stroke lengthwise ofsaid workpiece and a fluid propelled impact member moveable in an impactstroke lengthwise of said workpiece against said punch; in which saidelongated workpiece is positioned extending lengthwise generallyvertically during said controlled reforming, said workpiece one endportion constituting an upper end portion and said workpiece oppositeend portion constituting a lower end portion; and in which saidengagement means of said force absorbing support comprises verticallyreciprocal weight means resting downwardly against said workpiece upperend portion at commencement of said determined impact reforming strokeof said impact reforming means, said weight means creating saidyieldable resistance by upward movement in reaction to said determinedimpact reforming stroke.
 15. In a mechanism as defined in claim 1 inwhich said reforming device includes a workpiece positioning devicereceiving and positioning said workpiece opposite end portion duringsaid impact reforming means movement in said determined impact reformingstroke; in which said impact reforming means is comprised of mountingmeans reciprocally mounting a punch aligned lengthwise of said workpieceand reciprocally mounting a fluid propelled impact member aligned withsaid punch, said mounting means carrying said punch and said impactmember being moveable between an operable position with said punch atsaid workpiece positioning device and an inoperable position with saidpunch spaced from said workpiece positioning device, fluid propellingmeans on said mounting means actionable against said impact member whensaid mounting means is in said operable position to propel said impactmember against said punch and said punch into penetration into saidworkpiece opposite end portion carrying out said determined impactreforming stroke, said mounting means forceably withdrawing said punchfrom said workpiece opposite end portion after said impact reformingstroke upon movement of said mounting means from said operable towardsaid inoperable position; in which said elongated workpiece ispositioned extending lengthwise generally vertically during saidcontrolled reforming, said workpiece one end portion constituting anupper end portion and said workpiece opposite end portion constituting alower end portion; and in which said engagement means of said forceabsorbing support comprises vertically reciprocal weight means restingdownwardly against said workpiece upper end portion at commencement ofsaid determined impact reforming stroke of said impact reforming means,said weight means creating said yieldable resistance by upward movementin reaction to said determined impact reforming stroke.
 16. In amechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said workpiece includes anelongated tubular part telescoped by an outer part, said tubular andouter parts having end portions comprising said workpiece opposite endportion; in which said reforming device includes a workpiece positioningdevice receiving and positioning said workpiece opposite end portionduring said impact reforming means movement in said determined impactreforming stroke; in which said impact reforming means is comprised ofmounting means reciprocally mounting a punch aligned lengthwise of saidworkpiece and reciprocally mounting a fluid propelled impact memberaligned with said punch, said mounting means carrying said punch andsaid impact member being movable between an operable position with saidpunch at said workpiece positioning device and an inoperable positionwith said punch spaced from said workpiece positioning device, fluidpropelling means on said mounting means actionable against said impactmember when said mounting means is in said operable position to propelsaid impact member against said punch and said punch into penetrationinto said tubular part reforming said tubular part at least partiallytransversely against said telescoped part carrying out said determinedimpact reforming stroke, said mounting means forceably withdrawing saidpunch from said tubular part after said impact reforming stroke uponmovement of said mounting means from said operable toward saidinoperable position; in which said elongated workpiece is positionedextending lengthwise generally vertically during said controlledreforming, said workpiece one end portion constituting an upper endportion and said workpiece opposite end portion constituting a lower endportion; and in which said engagement means of said force absorbingsupport comprises vertically reciprocal weight means resting downwardlyagainst said workpiece upper end portion at commencement of saiddetermined impact reforming stroke of said impact reforming means, saidweight means creating said yieldable resistance by upward movement inreaction to said determined impact reforming stroke.
 17. In a mechanismas defined in claim 1 in which said impact reforming means is comprisedof a punch aligned with and moveable in said impact reforming strokelengthwise of said workpiece and a fluid propelled impact membermoveable in an impact stroke lengthwise of said workpiece against saidpunch; in which said elongated workpiece is positioned extendinglengthwise generally vertically during said controlled reforming, saidworkpiece one end portion constituting an upper end portion and saidworkpiece opposite end portion constituting a lower end portion; inwhich said engagement means of said force absorbing support comprisesvertically reciprocal weight means resting downwardly against saidworkpiece upper end portion at commencement of said determined impactreforming stroke of said impact reforming means, said weight meanscreating said yieldable resistance by upward movement in reaction tosaid determined impact reforming stroke, said weight means movingupwardly away from said workpiece upper end portion in reaction to saiddetermined impact reforming stroke; and in which said force absorbingsupport includes snubber means for snubbing said weight means spacedupwardly from said workpiece upper end portion upon upward movement ofsaid weight means.
 18. In a mechanism as defined in claim 1 in whichsaid reforming device includes a workpiece positioning device receivingand positioning said workpiece opposite end portion during said impactreforming means movement in said determined impact reforming stroke; inwhich said impact reforming means is comprised of cylinder meansreciprocally mounting a punch projecting from an end thereof and alignedlengthwise of said workpiece and reciprocally mounting a piston-likeimpact member moveable by gaseous fluid with an impact force againstsaid punch, mounting means carrying said cylinder with said punch andsaid impact member and moving said cylinder between an operable positionwith said punch at said workpiece positioning device and an inoperableposition with said punch spaced from said workpiece positioning device,said mounting means having fluid positioning means thereon operable formoving said cylinder with said punch and said impact member between saidoperable and inoperable positions, gaseous fluid supply means operablyconnected to said cylinder for directing said gaseous fluid against saidimpact member when said cylinder is in said operable position to propelsaid impact member against said punch and said punch into penetrationinto said workpiece opposite end portion carrying out said determinedimpact reforming stroke, said mounting means forceably withdrawing saidpunch from said workpiece opposite end portion after said impactreforming stroke upon movement of said mounting means from said operabletoward said inoperable position; in which said elongated workpiece ispositioned extending lengthwise generally vertically during saidcontrolled reforming, said workpiece one end portion constituting anupper end portion and said workpiece opposite end portion constituting alower end portion; in which said engagement means of said forceabsorbing support comprises vertically reciprocal weight means restingdownwardly against said workpiece upper end portion at commencement ofsaid determined impact reforming stroke of said impact reforming means,said weight means creating said yieldable resistance by upward movementin reaction to said determined impact reforming stroke, said weightmeans moving upwardly away from said workpiece upper end portion inreaction to said determined impact reforming stroke; and in which saidforce absorbing support includes snubber means for snubbing said weightmeans spaced upwardly from said workpiece upper end portion upon upwardmovement of said weight means, said snubber means comprisingelectromagnet means spaced above said weight means at commencement ofsaid determined impact reforming stroke and while said weight meansengages said workpiece upper end portion, said electromagnet means beingenergized and magnetically gripping said weight means upon upwardmovement of said weight means reacting from said determined impactreforming stroke and retaining said weight means spaced above saidworkpiece upper end portion during said magnetic gripping,de-energization of said electromagnet means releasing said weight meansfor downward movement of said weight means into engagement with saidworkpiece upper end portion prior to commencement of said determinedimpact reforming stroke, resilient means suspending said electromagnetmeans for absorbing generally vertical forces created by said weightmeans upward movement and said magnetic gripping of said weight means bysaid electromagnet means.
 19. In a method of controlled reforming of anend portion of an elongated workpiece subject to transverse deformation;the steps of; positioning an elongated workpiece effectively unsupportedover a substantial part between end portions thereof; engaging one ofsaid workpiece end portions with determined yieldable resistance means;impacting an opposite of said workpiece end portions by a determinedimpact reforming force to controllably reform said opposite end portionwhile transmitting a sufficient part of said force lengthwise throughsaid workpiece to normally cause transverse deformation of saidworkpiece unsupported part; during said impacting, partially absorbingsaid impact reforming force part by movement of said yieldableresistance means reducing said force part sufficient to prevent saidtransverse deformation of said workpiece unsupported part.
 20. In amethod as defined in claim 19 in which said impacting includescontrollably reforming said opposite end portion by lengthwisepenetrating and at least part transversely reforming said opposite endportion.
 21. In a method as defined in claim 19 in which said impactingincludes controllably reforming said opposite end portion by lengthwisepenetrating and at least part transversely reforming said opposite endportion by an impact member in the form of a punch.
 22. In a method asdefined in claim 19 in which said impacting includes controllablyreforming said opposite end portion by lengthwise penetrating a hole ofsaid opposite end portion and at least part transversely reforming saidopposite end portion outwardly against and generally conforming to atelescoping outer workpiece.
 23. In a method as defined in claim 19 inwhich said impacting includes fluid propelling impact reforming meansagainst and lengthwise penetrating into said workpiece opposite endportion providing said determined impact reforming force to controllablyreform said opposite end portion.
 24. In a method as defined in claim 19in which said impacting includes impacting reforming means lengthwiseagainst said workpiece opposite end portion lengthwise penetrating andat least part transversely reforming said opposite end portion to placesaid reforming means in lengthwise interference with said opposite endportion, forceably withdrawing said reforming means from said workpieceopposite end portion.
 25. In a method as defined in claim 19 in whichsaid impacting includes impacting an impact member against a punchlengthwise of said workpiece opposite end portion causing said punch tocontact with said determined impact reforming force said opposite endportion and penetrate an opening of said opposite end portion to atleast part transversely reform said opposite end portion and place saidpunch in lengthwise interference in said opposite end portion, forceablywithdrawing said punch from said interference with said workpieceopposite end portion.
 26. In a method as defined in claim 19 in whichsaid impacting includes moveably impacting an impact member against apunch driving said punch into an opening of said workpiece opposite endportion with said determined impact reforming force to penetrate saidopposite end portion opening and part transversely reform said oppositeend portion at least partially conforming outwardly with andtransversely against an outer telescoping workpiece while placing saidpunch in lengthwise interference with said opposite end portion,forceably withdrawing said punch from lengthwise interference with saidworkpiece opposite end portion.
 27. In a method as defined in claim 19in which said positioning of said elongated workpiece includes generallyvertically positioning said elongated workpiece with said workpiece oneend portion above said workpiece opposite end portion; and in which saidengaging of said workpiece one end portion with said determinedyieldable resistance means and said partially absorbing of said impactreforming force part includes engaging said workpiece one end portionwith a vertically moveable weight resting downwardly there against andpartially absorbing said impact reforming force part by permitting saidweight to yieldably move upwardly in reaction to said impact reformingforce.
 28. In a method as defined in claim 19 in which said positioningof said elongated workpiece includes generally vertically positioningsaid elongated workpiece with said workpiece one end portion above saidworkpiece opposite end portion; and in which said engaging of saidworkpiece one end portion with said determined yieldable resistancemeans and said partially absorbing of said impact reforming force partincludes engaging said workpiece one end portion with a verticallymoveable weight resting downwardly there against and partially absorbingsaid impact reforming force part by permitting said weight to yieldablymove upwardly in reaction to said impact reforming force, snubbing saidweight upon upward movement of said weight from reaction of said impactreforming force and temporarily retaining said weight spaced above saidworkpiece one end portion.
 29. In a method as defined in claim 19 inwhich said positioning of said elongated workpiece includes generallyvertically positioning said elongated workpiece with said workpiece oneend portion above said workpiece opposite end portion; and in which saidengaging of said workpiece one end portion with said determinedyieldable resistance means and said partially absorbing of said impactreforming force part includes engaging said workpiece one end portionwith a vertically moveable weight resting downwardly there against andpartially absorbing said impact reforming force part by permitting saidweight to yieldably move upwardly in reaction to said impact reformingforce, snubbing said weight by moving said weight upwardly into amagnetic field of an electromagnet during said weight upward movement inreaction to said impact reforming force, magnetically retaining saidweight temporarily spaced above said workpiece one end portion upon saidweight upward movement into said magnetic field.
 30. In a method asdefined in claim 19 in which said positioning of said elongatedworkpiece includes generally vertically positioning said elongatedworkpiece with said workpiece one end portion above said workpieceopposite end portion; and in which said engaging of said workpiece oneend portion with said determined yieldable resistance means and saidpartially absorbing of said impact reforming force part includesengaging said workpiece one end portion with a vertically moveableweight resting downwardly there against and partially absorbing saidimpact reforming force part by permitting said weight to yieldably moveupwardly in reaction to said reforming force, passing said weight into amagnetic field of a resiliently suspended electromagnet upon upwardmovement of said weight in reaction to said impact reforming force,resiliently magnetically suspending said weight temporarily spaced abovesaid workpiece one end portion upon said weight upward movement inreaction to said impact reforming force.
 31. In a method as defined inclaim 19 in which said impacting includes controllably reforming saidopposite end portion by lengthwise penetrating and at least parttransversely reforming said opposite end portion; in which saidpositioning of said elongated workpiece includes generally verticallypositioning said elongated workpiece with said workpiece one end portionabove said workpiece opposite end portion; and in which said engaging ofsaid workpiece one end portion with said determined yieldable resistancemeans and said partially absorbing of said impact reforming force partincludes engaging said workpiece one end portion with a verticallymoveable weight resting downwardly there against and partially absorbingsaid impact reforming force part by permitting said weight to yieldablymove upwardly in reaction to said impact reforming force.
 32. In amethod as defined in claim 19 in which said impacting includescontrollably reforming said opposite end portion by lengthwisepenetrating and at least part transversely reforming said opposite endportion by an impact member in the form of a punch; in which saidpositioning of said elongated workpiece includes generally verticallypositioning said elongated workpiece with said workpiece one end portionabove said workpiece opposite end portion; and in which said engaging ofsaid workpiece one end portion with said determined yieldable resistancemeans and said partially absorbing of said impact reforming force partincludes engaging said workpiece one end portion with a verticallymoveable weight resting downwardly there against and partially absorbingsaid impact reforming force part by permitting said weight to yieldablymove upwardly in reaction to said impact reforming force, snubbing saidweight upon upward movement of said weight from reaction of said impactreforming force and temporarily retaining said weight spaced above saidworkpiece one end portion.
 33. In a method as defined in claim 19 inwhich said impacting includes controllably reforming said opposite endportion by lengthwise penetrating a hole of said opposite end portionand at least part transversely reforming said opposite end portionoutwardly against and generally conforming to a telescoping outerworkpiece; in which said positioning of said elongated workpieceincludes generally vertically positioning said elongated workpiece withsaid workpiece one end portion above said workpiece opposite endportion; and in which said engaging of said workpiece one end portionwith said determined yieldable resistance means and said partiallyabsorbing of said impact reforming force part includes engaging saidworkpiece one end portion with a vertically moveable weight restingdownwardly there against and partially absorbing said impact reformingforce part by permitting said weight to yieldably move upwardly inreaction to said impact reforming force, snubbing said weight uponupward movement of said weight from reaction of said impact reformingforce and temporarily retaining said weight spaced above said workpieceone end portion.
 34. In a method as defined in claim 19 in which saidimpacting includes impacting said impact member against a punchlengthwise of said workpiece opposite end portion causing said punch tocontact with said determined impact reforming force said opposite endportion and penetrate an opening of said opposite end portion to atleast part transversely reform said opposite end portion and place saidpunch in lengthwise interference in said opposite end portion, forceablywithdrawing said punch from lengthwise interference with said workpieceopposite end portion; in which said positioning of said elongatedworkpiece includes generally vertically positioning said elongatedworkpiece with said workpiece one end portion above said workpieceopposite end portion; and in which said engaging of said workpiece oneend portion with said determined yieldable resistance means and saidpartially absorbing of said impact reforming force part includesengaging said workpiece one end portion with a vertically moveableweight resting downwardly there against and partially absorbing saidimpact reforming force part by permitting said weight to yieldably moveupwardly in reaction to said impact reforming force, snubbing saidweight upon upward movement of said weight from reaction of said impactreforming force and temporarily retaining said weight spaced above saidworkpiece one end portion.
 35. In a method as defined in claim 19 inwhich said impacting includes moveably impacting an impact memberagainst a punch driving said punch into an opening of said workpieceopposite end portion with said determined impact reforming force topenetrate said opposite end portion opening and part transversely reformsaid opposite end portion at least partially conforming outwardly withand transversely against an outer telescoping workpiece while placingsaid punch in lengthwise interference with said opposite end portion,forceably withdrawing said punch from lengthwise interference with saidworkpiece opposite end portion; in which said positioning of saidelongated workpiece includes generally vertically positioning saidelongated workpiece with said workpiece one end portion above saidworkpiece opposite end portion; and in which said engaging of saidworkpiece one end portion with said determined yieldable resistancemeans and said partially absorbing of said impact reforming force partincludes engaging said workpiece one end portion with a verticallymoveable weight resting downwardly there against and partially absorbingsaid impact reforming force part by permitting said weight to yieldablymove upwardly in reaction to said reforming force, snubbing said weightby moving said weight upwardly into a magnetic field of an electromagnetduring said weight upward movement in reaction to said impact reformingforce, magnetically retaining said weight temporarily spaced above saidworkpiece one end portion upon said weight upward movement into saidmagnetic field.
 36. In a method as defined in claim 19 in which saidimpacting includes moveably impacting an impact member against a punchdriving said punch into an opening of said workpiece opposite endportion with said determined impact reforming force to penetrate saidopposite end portion opening and part transversely reform said oppositeend portion at least partially conforming outwardly with andtransversely against an outer telescoping workpiece while placing saidpunch in lengthwise interference with said opposite end portion,forceably withdrawing said punch from lengthwise interference with saidworkpiece opposite end portion; in which said positioning of saidelongated workpiece includes generally vertically positioning saidelongated workpiece with said workpiece one end portion above saidworkpiece opposite end portion; and in which said engaging of saidworkpiece one end portion with said determined yieldable resistancemeans and said partially absorbing of said impact reforming force partincludes engaging said workpiece one end portion with a verticallymoveable weight resting downwardly there against and partially absorbingsaid impact reforming force part of permitting said weight to yieldablymove upwardly in reaction to said reforming force, passing said weightinto a magnetic field of a resiliently suspended electromagnet uponupward movement of said weight in reaction to said impact reformingforce, resiliently magnetically suspending said weight temporarilyspaced above said workpiece one end portion upon said weight upwardmovement in reaction to said impact reforming force.